Can I Face Criminal Charges After a Traffic Accident? Accidents happen very regularly, and most people get into a fender-bender situation at some point in their lives. While, typically, vehicle accidents are civil matters that parties work out between their insurance companies, there are some circumstances that may result in…
Articles Posted in Manslaughter
Defending Manslaughter Charges
Defending Manslaughter Charges Manslaughter is the killing of another person without forethought or malice. It differs from the charge of murder in that murder is the killing of another person with intent. There are several types of manslaughter charges that might apply. Although manslaughter is generally a felony, the penalties…
What is Vehicular Manslaughter?
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?” Manslaughter is a serious criminal charge in North Carolina. Manslaughter is a crime that may be charged when someone is responsible for the death of another. There are…
Manslaughter Charges in North Carolina
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I have an outstanding warrant, what should I do?” Manslaughter charges occur when someone dies due to the negligence of someone else. If you are charged with manslaughter you are facing severe consequences if you are found guilty. Manslaughter is…
Death by Vehicle in North Carolina: Who can be Convicted of the Crime and What are the Penalties?
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What happens if I am convicted of a DUI or DWI in Charlotte North Carolina?” In North Carolina, drivers who kill other persons in a drunk driving crash or while committing a traffic violation are charged with death by vehicle, also…
Evidence Used in North Carolina Self Defense Cases
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” When facing criminal assault, battery, or any other type of charges, defendants often claim self defense. When claiming self defense, a defendant is stating that the party claiming to be the victim was…
Iowa’s “Stand Your Ground” Law Put To The Test In Recent Case
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” Stand Your Ground laws have been around for more than a decade now, with Florida serving as one of the first states to pass such legislation back in 2005. Though not a novel…
Florida Court Decides Whether Cars Count As Deadly Weapons
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I have an outstanding warrant, what should I do?” When you think of deadly weapons most people imagine the classics: guns and knives. Crimes that include heightened penalties for being committed with deadly weapons thus typically involve defendants who had…
Massachusetts Case Raises Questions of Cyberbullying and Free Speech
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” It can sometimes seem like we have seen it all before. This is especially true in the criminal law world, where crimes are seldom novel, but often sad cycles continually repeating themselves. Though…
Girlfriend’s Verbal Taunting, Other Boyfriend Don’t Justify “Heat of Passion” Defense
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?” A North Carolina state appellate court released a ruling this [week] refusing to accept the defendant’s claims that he was provoked into killing his girlfriend because he was…